How well do you know the ground beneath your feet? A primer for every Earth resident, by Harvard’s acclaimed geologist.“A sublime chronicle of our planet." (Booklist, starred review)Odds are, where you’re standing was once cooking under a roiling sea of lava, crushed by a towering sheet of ice, rocked by a nearby meteor strike, or perhaps choked by poison gases, drowned beneath ocean, perched atop a mountain range, or roamed by fearsome monsters. Probably most or even all of the above. The story of our home planet and the organisms spread across its surface is far more spectacular than any Hollywood blockbuster, filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller. But only recently have we begun to piece together the whole mystery into a coherent narrative. Drawing on his decades of field research and up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest science, renowned geologist Andrew H. Knoll delivers a rigorous yet accessible biography of Earth, charting our home planet's epic 4.6 billion-year story. Placing twenty first-century climate change in deep context, A Brief History of Earth is an indispensable look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

The story of the American West is the story of a relentless quest for a precious resource: water. It is a tale of rivers diverted and dammed, of political corruptions and intrigue, of billion-dollar battles over water rights, of ecologic and economic disaster. In Cadillac Desert, Marc Reisner writes of the earliest settlers, lured by the promise of paradise, and of the ruthless tactics employed by Los Angeles politicians and business interests to ensure the city's growth. He documents the bitter rivalry between two government giants, the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Army Corps of Engineers, in the competition to transform the West. Based on more than a decade of research, Cadillac Desert is a stunning exposé and a dramatic, intriguing history of the creation of Eden - an Eden that may be only a mirage. Read more

The author of Cod and The Basque History of the World takes an extraordinary look at an ordinary substance — salt, the only rock humans eat — and how it has shaped civilization from the very beginning. Mark Kurlansky has produced a kaleidoscope of history, a multi-layered masterpiece that blends economic, scientific, political, religious, and culinary records into a rich and memorable tale. Read more

Earth is vibrantly alive and full of wisdom for those who learn to listen.Earth has been reinventing itself for more than four billion years, keeping a record of its experiments in the form of rocks. Yet most of us live our lives on the planet with no idea of its extraordinary history, unable to interpret the language of the rocks that surround us. Geologist Marcia Bjornerud believes that our lives can be enriched by understanding our heritage on this old and creative planet. Contrary to their reputation, rocks have eventful lives—and they intersect with our own in surprising ways. In Turning to Stone, Bjornerud reveals how rocks are the hidden infrastructure that keep the planet functioning, from sandstone aquifers purifying the water we drink to basalt formations slowly regulating global climate. Bjornerud’s life as a geologist has coincided with an extraordinary period of discovery in the geosciences. From an insular girlhood in rural Wisconsin, she found her way to an unlikely career studying mountains in remote parts of the world and witnessed the emergence of a new understanding of the Earth as an animate system of rock, air, water and life. We are all, most fundamentally, Earthlings and we can find existential meaning and enduring wisdom in stone.A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books. Read more

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The story of our world and the different living things that have populated it is an amazing epic with millions of species, exotic settings, planet-wide cataclysms, and surprising plot twists. These 36 lectures tell the all-embracing story of life on Earth - its origins, extinctions, and evolutions - in a manner that assumes no background in science. At half an hour per lecture, you’ll cover the entire 4.54-billion-year history of Earth in 18 hours, averaging 70,000 years per second! Professor Sutherland notes that if the story of Earth is compared to the height of the Washington Monument, then all of human history is the thickness of a sheet of paper balanced at the top. He devotes most of these lectures to the incredible happenings beneath that piece of paper, including stirring episodes such as Earth’s “snowball” phase, which should have been permanent according to some theories; the Cambrian explosion, after which life’s complexity soared in an explosion of genetic diversification; and the age of giant insects, where dragonflies had 30-inch wingspans and cockroaches reached 20 inches in length. By the time you reach the origin of humans in Lecture 35, you’ll appreciate our species in the widest possible context. Why does the Earth have continents? What causes periodic mass extinctions? How did animals move from water to land? What are the oldest fossils? Experience the thrill of scientists searching for answers to questions such as these. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

Reference book for setting up successful planted aquaria for fish. Hobbyists learn how to keep low-maintenance, inexpensive tanks. Aquarium plants thrive using natural processes like decomposition of fishfood and soil organic matter rather than high-tech gadgets like artificial CO2 injection and constant fertilizer dosing. She shows how vigorous plant growth can purify the water and protect fish. Author provides simple, easy-to-understand explanations for complex, scientific concepts and includes helpful Q&A boxes scattered throughout the text. Book contains hundreds of citations to primary scientific papers from the aquatic botany, limnology, and chemistry literature making it the ultimate reference book for planted freshwater aquaria. Read more

The bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman and The Map That Changed the World examines the enduring and world-changing effects of the catastrophic eruption off the coast of Java of the earth's most dangerous volcano -- Krakatoa.The legendary annihilation in 1883 of the volcano-island of Krakatoa -- the name has since become a byword for a cataclysmic disaster -- was followed by an immense tsunami that killed nearly forty thousand people. Beyond the purely physical horrors of an event that has only very recently been properly understood, the eruption changed the world in more ways than could possibly be imagined. Dust swirled round die planet for years, causing temperatures to plummet and sunsets to turn vivid with lurid and unsettling displays of light. The effects of the immense waves were felt as far away as France. Barometers in Bogotá and Washington, D.C., went haywire. Bodies were washed up in Zanzibar. The sound of the island's destruction was heard in Australia and India and on islands thousands of miles away. Most significant of all -- in view of today's new political climate -- the eruption helped to trigger in Java a wave of murderous anti-Western militancy among fundamentalist Muslims: one of the first outbreaks of Islamic-inspired killings anywhere.Simon Winchester's long experience in the world wandering as well as his knowledge of history and geology give us an entirely new perspective on this fascinating and iconic event as he brings it telling back to life. Read more

Arches National Park. Bryce Canyon. Zion. When one thinks of Utah, it�s rocks and iconic landforms�preserved in a nearly endless list of national parks and monuments�come immediately to mind. Perhaps more so than any other state, Utah is built for geologic exploration, and geologists/authors Felicie Williams, Lucy Chronic, and Halka Chronic are its expert tour guides.The Beehive State is splitting at the seams with wondrous geological contrast. Utah�s high mountains, showcasing the results of what happens as the Earth bends, folds, and breaks itself apart, run like a backbone down the center of the state. To the east, the Colorado Plateau�s flat-lying sedimentary rock is wondrously exposed in canyons, arches, and breaks. To the west is the immense Great Basin, a region characterized by rank upon rank of long, narrow, gaunt mountain ranges alternating with desert basins that are among the flattest surfaces on Earth.Roadside Geology of Utah�s 65 road guides traverse the state�s major thoroughfares as well as its dusty, sleepy, winding two-lane highways. With fresh prose and more than 300 color photos, maps, and figures to boot, you too will become expert at reading Utah�s rocks. Read more

NEW RELEASE 2025: Ace Your Firefighter Exam on the First Try and Get Expert Advice to Advance Your Career!- Want to pass the written exam and excel in the interview on your first try without spending endless hours studying?- Ready to master the skills top candidates use to secure their firefighter careers?- Eager to learn from realistic scenarios and practical tips that equip you for real-life challenges?- Determined to be fully prepared for the physical test and real-life actions?If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the right book for you.This book covers every topic and provides tips, strategies, in-depth methods, and expert advice to help you achieve the highest score, even with limited study time.Benefit from consolidated expert advice, grounded in years of firefighter exam preparation and specialized knowledge, brought to you by Fireline Press.Inside, you will find:✅ Full coverage of every topic for all types of written and oral exams to ensure you are fully prepared to pass the exam with confidence.✅ Study smarter, not harder, with content structured for maximum results and minimal effort.✅ Discover the 5 most effective test-taking strategies that significantly enhance your performance on the exam.✅ Gain essential knowledge effortlessly, mastering reading comprehension, mechanical reasoning, math, and hydraulics.✅ Develop teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and effective communication in realistic scenarios.✅ Step-by-step guidance on using firefighter equipment, including PPE, SCBA, fire apparatus, and managing hazardous materials and water sources.✅ In-depth understanding of fire science, prevention strategies, safety protocols, ventilation techniques, search and rescue operations, emergency medical knowledge, and investigation methods.✅ Boost spatial orientation skills: Master map reading, navigation techniques, and understanding local geography with targeted exercises.✅ The 9 memory and observation tips: Strengthen your memory and observation skills with 9 proven techniques and practice questions, giving you a critical edge in retaining important details.✅ The 10 easy-to-apply stress management techniques to help you balance life, boost daily efficiency, and perform confidently on exam day.✅ And much more…Bonuses Included:#1 BONUS: 1,000+ Questions with Detailed Answers: Includes multiple-choice, true/false, and scenario-based questions set in real-life emergency situations.#2 BONUS: 101 Printable Flashcards: A fun way to learn and test your knowledge!#3 BONUS: Discover the secrets to preparing for the Physical Ability Test, CPAT or PAT, and stay fit and ready for action with a complete guide to each event, featuring training tips, exercise routines, and nutrition advice.#4 BONUS: Book available as an Audiobook: Learn while commuting, traveling, working out, relaxing, or anytime on the go!#5 BONUS: 5 Full-Length Real Tests: Simulate real exam conditions and help you gauge your readiness.So, don’t wait any longer—take control of your future and don't let anything stand in the way of your dream career. Order your copy now and succeed! Read more

Geology is an extremely visual subject, and In Search of Ancient Oregon is a beautifully photographed, expertly written account of Oregon's geological story. Written by a professional geologist who has spent countless hours in the field exploring and photographing the state, In Search of Ancient Oregon is a book for all those interested in Oregon's present and past landscapes, plants, animals, and climates. It presents fine-art-quality color photographs of well-known features, including Mount Hood, Crater Lake, Smith Rock, Steens Mountain, the Columbia River Gorge, and Oregon's rugged coast, as well as scenic and more remote places, including Diamond Craters, the Owyhees, Abert Rim, Hells Canyon, the Wallowas, and Three Fingered Jack. Clear writing accompanies the more than 215 photographs. Finally, here is a book that tells the tale of how Oregon's diverse landscapes, climates, and wildlife evolved - and what we may expect in the future.Until now, no book has presented this dynamic story in a way that everyone interested in Oregon's natural history can easily understand. Extraordinary photographs and the author's explanations make this book unique and essential for those curious about our own contemporary landscape. Read more

The Pulitzer Prize-winning view of the continent, across the fortieth parallel and down through 4.6 billion yearsTwenty years ago, when John McPhee began his journeys back and forth across the United States, he planned to describe a cross section of North America at about the fortieth parallel and, in the process, come to an understanding not only of the science but of the style of the geologists he traveled with. The structure of the book never changed, but its breadth caused him to complete it in stages, under the overall title Annals of the Former World.Like the terrain it covers, Annals of the Former World tells a multilayered tale, and the reader may choose one of many paths through it. As clearly and succinctly written as it is profoundly informed, this is our finest popular survey of geology and a masterpiece of modern nonfiction.Annals of the Former World is the winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction. Read more

Perfect for mountain climbers, hikers, and geology enthusiasts, this valuable reference covers more rocks and minerals in North America than any other available guide. Featuring a durable vinyl binding and nearly 800 full-color identification photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals is the perfect companion for any expedition. This portable guide depicts all the important rocks, gems, and minerals -- in many variations of color and crystal form -- and the natural environments in which they occur, and includes written descriptions of field marks, similar rocks and minerals, environment, areas of occurrence, and derivation of names. Includes a guide to mineral collecting and a list of rock-forming minerals. Read more

Washington is alive with geologic activity: It�s home to the most active volcanoes in the lower 48, earthquakes regularly rattle the populated Puget Sound region, the potential of landslides increases with each soaking rain, and tsunami evacuation routes alert tourists in Olympic National Park to the active plate boundary just off the coast. The only geologic hazard Washingtonians need not fear, at least not with the continued trend of global warming, is another Ice Age flood. More than forty of the biggest floods known in the history of Earth scoured the Channeled Scabland of eastern Washington, the most recent only about 15,000 years ago. Since the first edition of Roadside Geology of Washington appeared on the book shelves in 1984, several generations of geologists have studied the wild assortment of rocks in the Evergreen State, from 45-million-year-old sandstone exposed in sea cliffs at Cape Flattery to 1.4-billion-year-old sandstone near Spokane. In between are the rugged granitic and metamorphic peaks of the North Cascades, the volcanic flows of Mt. Rainier and the other active volcanoes of the Cascade magmatic arc, and the 2-mile-thick flood basalts of the Columbia Basin. With the help of this brand new, completely updated second edition, you can appreciate spectacular geologic features along more than forty of Washington�s highways. Read more

The famous CIA document, finally with a revised, readable and fully digital version. This curious text gained a lot of attention as the 2010s approached their end, and as science finally started to acknowledge the fact that there is a big possibility that the Magnetic Pole Shift can, indeed, be a cataclysmic event that destroys everything, and that this cataclysm might be imminent. A discussion that, for years, was shut down by the use of terms "conspiracy theory" and "pseudoscience", is finally starting to gain the attention it needs; even though it might be too late now. This is only a single part of a vast literature dealing with the subject of Magnetic Pole Shift. We hope this book is read only as the first step on your research on this extremely important topic. Read more

California�s geology makes headlines when faults shift, volcanoes puff steam, and coastal bluffs fall into the sea. The latest edition of this popular book explores the state�s recent rumblings and tremulous past with the aid of full color illustrations. Spectacular photographs showcase multihued rock, from red chert and green serpentinite to blue schist and gray granite. The color geologic road maps, based on the 2010 Geologic Map of California, are detailed and easy to read. The geologic information, particularly for the Klamath Mountains, Modoc Plateau, and northern Sierra Nevada, has been updated to reflect the more recent geologic understanding of these complex areas. For your next road trip, replace your tattered, dog-eared copy of the old edition with this gorgeous new volume. Read more

The third edition of Introduction to Optical Mineralogy provides comprehensive coverage of the optical properties of minerals. It describes in detail more than 125 common rock-forming minerals and a selection of common ore minerals. Revised chapters on optical theory discuss the petrographic microscope, the nature and properties of light, the behavior of light in isotropic and anisotropic materials, and uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic optics. Ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in optical mineralogy, this accessible text is also an essential resource for petrology/petrography courses. Features of the Third Edition BLIncludes a new section on reflected light optics BLReorganizes material so that silicates-which comprise over 95% of the earth's crust-are discussed first in order to reflect their abundance and petrologic significance BLContains numerous photomicrographs and revised illustrations throughout BLProvides step-by-step procedures for using the petrographic microscope and a flow chart detailing the process of identifying unknown minerals Also Available: Companion CD A Textural Atlas of Minerals in Thin Section by Daniel Schulze contains color images of 65 minerals in thin selection, pictures of common alteration products-all indexed by mineral structure and composition-and more than 200 illustrations of important optical properties used in thin selection identification. Read more

Hailed by The New York Times for writing “with wonderful clarity about science . . . that effortlessly teaches as it zips along,” nationally bestselling author Robert M. Hazen offers a radical new approach to Earth history in this intertwined tale of the planet’s living and nonliving spheres. With an astrobiologist’s imagination, a historian’s perspective, and a naturalist’s eye, Hazen calls upon twenty-first-century discoveries that have revolutionized geology and enabled scientists to envision Earth’s many iterations in vivid detail—from the mile-high lava tides of its infancy to the early organisms responsible for more than two-thirds of the mineral varieties beneath our feet. Lucid, controversial, and on the cutting edge of its field, The Story of Earth is popular science of the highest order."A sweeping rip-roaring yarn of immense scope, from the birth of the elements in the stars to meditations on the future habitability of our world." -Science"A fascinating story." -Bill McKibben Read more

Written by David Rothery, who is Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, Geology: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place. It covers the key areas that students are expected to be confident in, outlining the basics in clear English, and then providing added-value features like a glossary of the essential jargon terms, links to useful websites, and even examples of questions you might be asked in a seminar or exam.The book uses a structure chosen to cover the essentials of most school and university courses on Geology. Topics covered include the Earth's structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics, volcanoes, igneous intrusions, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, deposition, deformation, physical resources, past life and fossils, the history of the Earth, Solar System geology, and geological fieldwork. There are useful appendices of minerals, rock names and geological time. Read more

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | SELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND THE ECONOMIST | FINALIST FOR THE L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZE, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY’S HELEN BERNSTEIN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM, AND THE PEN/E.O. WILSON AWARD FOR LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING.New York Times best-selling journalist Jeff Goodell presents a "masterful, bracing" (David Wallace-Wells) examination of the impact that temperature rise will have on our lives and on our planet, offering a vital new perspective on where we are headed, how we can prepare, and what is at stake if we fail to act.​  “When heat comes, it’s invisible. It doesn’t bend tree branches or blow hair across your face to let you know it’s arrived…. The sun feels like the barrel of a gun pointed at you.”    The world is waking up to a new reality: wildfires are now seasonal in California, the Northeast is getting less and less snow each winter, and the ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctica are melting fast.  Heat is the first order threat that drives all other impacts of the climate crisis.  And as the temperature rises, it is revealing fault lines in our governments, our politics, our economy, and our values. The basic science is not complicated: Stop burning fossil fuels tomorrow, and the global temperature will stop rising tomorrow. Stop burning fossil fuels in 50 years, and the temperature will keep rising for 50 years, making parts of our planet virtually uninhabitable.  It’s up to us.  The hotter it gets, the deeper and wider our fault lines will open.    The Heat Will Kill You First is about the extreme ways in which our planet is already changing. It is about why spring is coming a few weeks earlier and fall is coming a few weeks later and the impact that will have on everything from our food supply to disease outbreaks. It is about what will happen to our lives and our communities when typical summer days in Chicago or Boston go from 90° F to 110°F. A heatwave, Goodell explains, is a predatory event— one that culls out the most vulnerable people.  But that is changing. As heatwaves become more intense and more common, they will become more democratic.     As an award-winning journalist who has been at the forefront of environmental journalism for decades, Goodell’s new book may be his most provocative yet, explaining how extreme heat will dramatically change the world as we know it.  Masterfully reported, mixing the latest scientific insight with on-the-ground storytelling, Jeff Goodell tackles the big questions and uncovers how extreme heat is a force beyond anything we have reckoned with before. Read more